What are rats and mice called? - briefly
«Rats and mice are members of the family Muridae, a group commonly known as rodents.» «They belong to the order Rodentia.»
What are rats and mice called? - in detail
Rats and mice belong to the order Rodentia and are classified within the family Muridae, subfamily Murinae. The collective designation for these animals is the “murine” group, a term that encompasses all members of the genus Rattus (rats) and the genus Mus (mice). In scientific literature the adjective “murine” modifies studies, diseases, and genetic models that involve either species.
The taxonomic hierarchy for the typical representatives is:
- Order: Rodentia
- Family: Muridae
- Subfamily: Murinae
- Genus Rattus (“rat”) – includes Rattus norvegicus, Rattus rattus, etc.
- Genus Mus (“mouse”) – includes Mus musculus, Mus macedonicus, etc.
The broader term “rodent” refers to the entire order, which contains over 2,000 species, many of which are unrelated to rats and mice. Consequently, “murine” provides a precise reference when distinguishing these two genera from other rodents such as squirrels, beavers, or hamsters.
In applied contexts, especially biomedical research, the phrase “murine model” denotes experiments performed on rats or mice, reflecting their shared physiological and genetic characteristics. The term therefore serves both taxonomic clarity and practical communication across scientific disciplines.